Top 10 Christmas Things to Do in NYC

Last updated: October 2026

Christmas in NYC is a season of giant trees, glittering shop windows, ice skating under skyscrapers and holiday markets in every borough. From late November to early January, the city puts on one of the most famous festive shows in the world.

It’s also the busiest time of year to visit, so a little planning goes a long way. This guide covers the top 10 Christmas things to do in NYC, with tips on timing so you can enjoy the magic without spending all your time in crowds.

For weather, crowd and pricing advice across the year, read our guide to the Best Time to Visit NYC.

Quick answer: What are the best things to do in NYC at Christmas? Seeing the Rockefeller Center tree, ice skating in Central Park, walking the Fifth Avenue holiday windows and visiting the Dyker Heights lights are the top four. Visit midweek in early December for smaller crowds.

Top 10 Christmas Things to Do in NYC at a Glance

1. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the most famous Christmas tree in the world, a huge Norway spruce covered in tens of thousands of lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. The tree lighting takes place in late November or early December and is broadcast on national TV.

The plaza gets extremely busy in the evenings. Visit early in the morning or late at night for a calmer look. The Rockefeller Center website lists the lighting date and viewing hours each year.

Walk up through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, where illuminated angels line the path towards the tree, for the classic first view. After the season ends in January, the tree has traditionally been milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity to help build homes.

• Getting there: Take the B, D, F or M subway to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center.
• Time needed: 30 minutes to an hour.
• Best time to go: Early morning on a weekday, or late in the evening.
• Good to know: Expect one-way walking routes and crowd barriers around the plaza in the evenings.

2. Skate at Rockefeller Center or Central Park

Ice skating is a classic New York winter experience. The rink at Rockefeller Center sits right below the tree and is small and atmospheric, but it books up fast and is pricey.

For more space, head to the Wollman Rink in Central Park, where you skate with the Midtown skyline rising above the trees. Both rinks sell timed tickets online, so book ahead in December. If you enjoy the setting, our guide to New York’s best parks beyond Central Park has more green spaces to explore.

Skating sessions at both rinks are timed, and skate rental is available on site. If you’d rather watch than skate, the Rockefeller Center rink is surrounded by viewing terraces, and Wollman Rink is close to the Central Park Zoo and the Gapstow Bridge, one of the prettiest spots in the park in winter.

• Getting there: For Wollman Rink, take the N, R or W subway to 5 Av/59 St and walk into the park.
• Time needed: About an hour and a half including skate rental.
• Tickets: Book timed sessions online, especially for weekends and evenings.
• Insider tip: Weekday mornings are the quietest time to skate.

3. Walk the Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows

Fifth Avenue’s department store windows are transformed into elaborate holiday displays every year. Saks Fifth Avenue is famous for its light show projected across the building’s facade, set to music each evening.

Walk from around 59th Street down to Rockefeller Center to see the best windows, including Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co. Go after dark to see the lights at their best. For more photo stops, see the most Instagrammable places in New York, many of which look even better with festive lights.

Across the street from Rockefeller Center, Saks Fifth Avenue runs its light show on repeat through the evening. Nearby, on Sixth Avenue, look out for the giant red Christmas ornaments by the fountains outside 1251 Avenue of the Americas, one of the city’s favourite festive photo spots. Further south, Macy’s Herald Square has its own famous holiday windows.

• Getting there: Start at Bergdorf Goodman by 5 Av/59 St and walk south along Fifth Avenue.
• Time needed: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: After dark on a weekday.
• Insider tip: Combine the windows with a visit to the Rockefeller Center tree, which is right on the route.

4. Watch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes has been a New York tradition for decades. The show features the famous synchronised kick line, live music and a living nativity scene.

Performances run several times a day from November to early January at Radio City Music Hall, an Art Deco landmark worth seeing in its own right. Weekday matinees are usually the cheapest and easiest to book.

The show lasts around 90 minutes, which makes it a good choice for families with younger children. Radio City Music Hall itself is an Art Deco landmark, and its grand foyer and huge auditorium are worth seeing even if you only visit once.

• Getting there: Radio City is on Sixth Avenue at 50th Street, a short walk from Rockefeller Center.
• Time needed: About two hours including arrival.
• Tickets: Buy from the official box office or website to avoid inflated resale prices.

5. Shop at the Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is one of the city’s best holiday markets, with dozens of glass-walled kiosks selling gifts, crafts and food. At its centre is a free-admission ice rink (skate rental is extra), one of the few in Manhattan.

It sits right behind the New York Public Library, so you can combine shopping with a visit to the library’s grand reading room. Other good holiday markets run at Union Square and Columbus Circle.

The kiosks sell everything from handmade jewellery and ceramics to hot chocolate, crêpes and dumplings. Skating on the rink is free if you bring your own skates, and the whole market is wonderfully atmospheric after dark, with the Midtown towers lit up around it.

• Getting there: Take the B, D, F or M subway to 42 St-Bryant Pk, or the 7 to 5 Av.
• Time needed: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Weekday afternoons, before the after-work crowds arrive.
• Insider tip: Reserve a rink time slot online, even for free skating, as sessions can fill up.

6. See the Lights in Dyker Heights

Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is famous for its over-the-top Christmas light displays, with homeowners competing to outdo each other with giant inflatable Santas, animated toy soldiers and millions of lights.

The best displays are between 11th and 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th Streets. Displays usually go up after Thanksgiving. Take the D train to 79th Street or the R train to Bay Ridge-86th Street, then walk 15 to 20 minutes, or join a guided bus tour from Manhattan. Visit on a weeknight to avoid the biggest crowds.

Many of the displays are created by professional decorators, and some houses have music, moving figures and life-size nativity scenes. Remember that these are people’s homes, so stay on the pavement, keep noise down and don’t block driveways.

• Time needed: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: A weeknight after dark, from early December.
• Good to know: It’s cold standing outside, so dress warmly and bring a hot drink.
• Insider tip: Combine the lights with dinner in nearby Bay Ridge, which has plenty of local restaurants.

7. Visit the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx features model trains running past miniature New York landmarks made entirely from natural materials such as bark, leaves and seeds.

It’s a big hit with families and a lovely way to see a different side of the city. Make a day of it with the best things to do in the Bronx, from Yankee Stadium to Arthur Avenue. Tickets are timed and sell out, so check the NYBG website early.

The show is set inside the garden’s glass Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where the trains run past recreations of landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Outside, the rest of the botanical garden is peaceful in winter and worth a walk if the weather is fine.

• Getting there: Take the Metro-North Harlem line from Grand Central to the Botanical Garden station, around 20 minutes.
• Time needed: Two to three hours.
• Tickets: Timed tickets sell out, especially on weekends, so book early.
• Insider tip: Weekday morning slots are the quietest for families with young children.

8. See The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center

New York City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is one of the most beloved holiday performances in America. It has been staged at Lincoln Center for decades and features a growing Christmas tree, dancing snowflakes and a live orchestra.

Tickets range widely in price. For the best value, look at matinees early in the season.

Performances take place at the David H. Koch Theater, and the production features dozens of children from the School of American Ballet. Arrive early to see Lincoln Center’s plaza and fountain, which are decorated for the season.

• Getting there: Take the 1 subway to 66 St-Lincoln Center.
• Time needed: About two hours.
• Tickets: Book early for weekends and the week before Christmas.

9. Admire the City from Above

Seeing the city lit up for the holidays from an observation deck is unforgettable. Many decks add festive decorations in December, and on a clear night you can pick out the Christmas lights of buildings across Manhattan.

Popular choices include the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Summit One Vanderbilt and Edge at Hudson Yards. Each has a different view and price, so compare them in our guide to New York’s best observation decks before you book.

Top of the Rock has the classic view of the Empire State Building, while Edge has a glass floor and an outdoor sky deck. Summit One Vanderbilt is known for its mirrored rooms, and the Empire State Building itself is lit in festive colours during the season.

• Time needed: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Around sunset, so you see the city in daylight and then lit up.
• Tickets: Book sunset time slots well in advance in December.

10. Ring in the New Year in Times Square

The Times Square Ball Drop is the most famous New Year’s Eve celebration in the world. About a million people gather to watch the crystal ball descend at midnight.

Be warned: spectators arrive in the afternoon, there are no public toilets and you can’t leave and re-enter. Many visitors prefer to watch fireworks over Central Park or from a rooftop bar instead. Planning New Year somewhere else? See the best European cities for New Year’s Eve fireworks.

If you want fireworks without the long wait, look at the celebrations in Central Park, where a midnight run is followed by fireworks, or at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Many restaurants and hotels also host New Year’s Eve parties with views over the city.

• Time needed: The whole day, if you want a spot near the ball drop.
• Good to know: Alcohol, large bags and umbrellas are not allowed in the viewing areas.
• Insider tip: Watch the ball drop on TV and spend midnight at a rooftop bar or a park fireworks display instead.

What Should You Know Before Visiting NYC at Christmas?

Book early. Hotels in December are among the most expensive of the year. Book flights and accommodation as early as possible, especially for the week before Christmas.

Go midweek. Weekends are packed with day-trippers. Plan major sights such as Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue for Monday to Thursday.

Dress for the cold. December temperatures are often close to freezing, with wind between tall buildings. Wear layers, a warm coat and comfortable waterproof shoes.

Watch your belongings. Crowded holiday spots attract pickpockets. Our New York safety tips for first-time visitors cover crowds, the subway and common scams.

Mix in some warm stops. Museums are a perfect break from the cold. Our guide to New York’s best museums, from the Met to MoMA helps you pick the right one. For a quick bite between sights, try a slice from New York’s best pizza places, including Di Fara.

The official guide NYC Tourism + Conventions has an up-to-date events calendar for the holiday season.

Expect crowd control. Around Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, police often set up barriers and one-way walking routes in the evenings, so allow extra time to get around.

A 3-Day NYC Christmas Itinerary

Three days is enough to see the main holiday sights at a relaxed pace. This plan groups nearby attractions so you spend less time travelling.

Day 1: Midtown Lights

Start at the Rockefeller Center tree in the morning, then walk the Fifth Avenue windows. After lunch, see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and return to Saks for the light show after dark.

Day 2: Skating and Markets

Skate at Wollman Rink in the morning and walk through Central Park. Spend the afternoon at the Bryant Park Winter Village and the New York Public Library, then see The Nutcracker in the evening.

Day 3: Beyond Manhattan

Visit the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the morning. In the evening, head to Brooklyn to see the lights of Dyker Heights.

Getting Around NYC at Christmas

The subway is the fastest way to get around, especially when Midtown traffic grinds to a halt in December. Tap a contactless card or phone at the gates with the OMNY system, with no need to buy a separate card.

Walking is often quicker than a taxi for short distances in Midtown. For longer journeys, such as to Dyker Heights or the Bronx, the subway and Metro-North trains are much faster than driving.

How Much Does Christmas in NYC Cost?

December is one of the most expensive months to visit New York, especially the weeks just before Christmas and New Year. Hotels are the biggest cost, so book early or stay outside Midtown.

Many of the best festive experiences are free, including the Rockefeller Center tree, the Fifth Avenue windows, the Bryant Park market and the Dyker Heights lights. Save on shows by choosing weekday matinees, and look at attraction passes if you plan to visit several observation decks or museums.

Where Should You Stay?

Midtown is the most convenient base, within walking distance of the tree, the windows and Radio City. The Upper West Side is quieter and close to Central Park and Lincoln Center.

For better value, look at hotels in Long Island City in Queens or in Downtown Brooklyn, both a short subway ride from Midtown.

Celebrate the Season in New York

NYC at Christmas is busy, cold and wonderful. Plan your must-sees, book key tickets in advance and leave time to simply wander the lit-up streets.

Planning a festive trip to Europe instead? London has its own festive traditions, covered in the best Christmas things to do in London, and Europe’s top Christmas markets are perfect for a winter city break.

Featured image: Photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash